Pessimism vs. Optimism

Video Testimonials

3 OM Students: Before

3 OM Students: After

Out of the Matrix began as a school based program. Chris Lauretig, a special education teacher in the Cleveland, Ohio area works with students labeled as ED (Emotional Disability). Chris’ students are of average intelligence with no physical disabilities. They have been identified for special education services because their emotional state of being has been shown to interfere with their ability to learn. Through the years Chris had been introduced to various programs that would help his students improve their ability to regulate their emotional state of being. These programs worked to varying degrees. But, none resonated with the staff and students as a way to shift lives.

As Chris began to work with Tony Senf he realized that the information that Tony was working with, in combination with Chris’ familiarity with his students could make a powerful impact. They began their collaboration in December of 2007 and Out of the Matrix was born in June of 2008.

Tony and Chris gave the students a new way to look at themselves, the world and themselves interacting with the world. They taught the students the meaning of personal responsibility. Not personal responsibility on the level of doing things, like picking up after yourself or being honest. They taught that you are responsible for how you think, and how you feel about yourself and the world. These often depressed, anxiety ridden or angry students began to understand that they could choose how they experience (think about and therefore feel about) everything. You can imagine what a huge impact this had on students who believed they were at the mercy of the events they experienced and the people with whom they were interacting.

Out of the Matrix has resonated with both staff and students in various local high schools. Tragically, a former student that participated in the high school version of Out of the Matrix recently died. He had identified Out of the Matrix as a life changing experience for himself. His family and former teachers recognized the shift in his life and they are working to bring Out of the Matrix back to his alma mater in his memory.

Crazy thing is that everyone could benefit from this information. Since 2008 Tony, Chris and various other Out of the Matrix staff members have worked with hundreds of adults who have benefited from these lessons on personal responsibility. Teachers can realize that they have a choice as to how they respond to their students. Parents can learn they can choose how they respond to their children. You get the idea, the list goes on and on. Everyone can choose how they respond to everything. If you are interested in having a philosophical shift in how you, your students, your fellow staff members or your administrators approach education and life itself please contact us via email or phone for a free consultation. We can customize our presentation to your needs, whether that includes all staff and students, just staff, just students or a small group of students.